Actor Timothy Busfield Indicted on Child Sexual Abuse Charges

Prosecutors allege Busfield had inappropriate contact with child actor on TV show set

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A grand jury in New Mexico has indicted actor and director Timothy Busfield on four counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor. The charges stem from allegations that Busfield, 68, had sexual contact with a child actor who worked on the set of the TV show "The Cleaning Lady" that Busfield was directing. Busfield has denied the allegations, calling them "lies", but prosecutors say medical and psychological records support the accusations.

Why it matters

The case raises concerns about the safety and protection of child actors on television and film sets, as well as the broader issue of holding powerful figures in the entertainment industry accountable for alleged abuse. It also highlights the challenges of investigating and prosecuting such cases, especially when the alleged victims are children.

The details

Prosecutors say the alleged incidents occurred in 2022 and 2023 when the child actor, who was 7 and 8 years old at the time, was working on the set of "The Cleaning Lady" alongside his twin brother. They allege Busfield repeatedly touched the child's genitals and backside. Busfield's lawyers have disputed the charges, pointing to audio recordings in which the boys said Busfield did not touch them inappropriately. However, prosecutors say medical and psychological records support the accusations, and that it's common for child victims to initially not disclose abuse.

  • The alleged incidents occurred in 2022 and 2023 when the child actor was 7 and 8 years old.
  • Busfield was indicted by a grand jury on February 6, 2026.

The players

Timothy Busfield

A 68-year-old actor and director who was directing the TV show "The Cleaning Lady" when the alleged incidents occurred.

Angele LaSalle and Ronald Rodis

The parents of the child actor who made the allegations against Busfield.

Savannah Brandenburg-Koch

One of the prosecutors in the case.

Élodie Yung

The lead actress on "The Cleaning Lady" who said the boys' mother told her she would "get her revenge against Tim Busfield" after the boys' roles were recast.

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What they’re saying

“It's not uncommon that the kids did not disclose at that time, or were ready to disclose at that time, to a police officer that showed up at their house.”

— Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, Prosecutor (New York Times)

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

A judge will decide whether to allow Busfield to be released on bail as the legal proceedings continue. No trial date has been set yet.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of protecting child actors and holding powerful figures in the entertainment industry accountable for alleged abuse, even as the industry claims to prioritize safety. It also underscores the complexities of investigating such cases, especially when the alleged victims are children.